POCATELLO — Bannock Development Corp. and city officials on Thursday announced the largest development in the history of Pocatello Regional Airport.

The massive project, named CREST, includes plans for the construction of indoor and outdoor sports venues for baseball, soccer, basketball and ice hockey; several hotels and restaurants; and eventually homes on the 3,200 acres of open space available at the airport.

The goal is to turn the airport property into a premier destination for sports, recreation, entertainment, concerts and travel. The project, a joint venture between Bannock Development and the City of Pocatello, will also include a convention center component.

The project’s CREST name is an acronym for convention, recreation, entertainment, sports and travel — all of which the project is expected to encompass upon completion.

“(CREST) represents not just an investment in infrastructure, but an investment in our collective future and the prosperity of Pocatello and our entire region,” said MiaCate Kennedy, chief executive officer of Bannock Development Corp. “At the heart of this ambitious endeavor, stands Bannock Development. As CEO I’m proud to say that our leadership, our people that sit on our board, our strategic partners (and) our CEO advisers have been nothing but short of visionary in conceptualizing a project that addresses multiple community needs while creating sustainable economic growth.”

Bannock Development officials said CREST is in its investor stage and there is no timeline for its construction. Some investors are already interested in the project, Bannock Development officials said.

Thursday’s news conference announcing CREST at the Stephens Performing Arts Center on the Idaho State University campus had numerous officials in attendance from the cities of Pocatello and Chubbuck, Bannock County, ISU and state agencies.

The first phase of CREST, to be built on 70 acres off of Interstate 86 on airport property, was unveiled at the news conference. It involves plans to construct indoor and outdoor sports venues including a stadium and ice hockey rink as well as plans for hotels and restaurants.

It is hoped that the stadium will attract a minor league baseball team.

“When you really think about what we’re planning here, this is a true live, work, play environment, which I think is very exciting,” said Jonathan Cole, the architect for the CREST project. “It’s an opportunity to really make Pocatello a big target for business, industry, entertainment and tourism.”

Pocatello officials said at the news conference that the project will also likely attract more commercial flights at the airport, which is currently served only by Delta Airlines.

The project’s next step is to attract the necessary investors to make it happen.

“I do not believe in my soul that there is a community with a brighter potential future than what Pocatello has,” said ISU College of Business Dean Shane Hunt, a project supporter who spoke at the news conference. “But in order to have that, we will have to seize those opportunities. I beg you to not build a Pocatello just for people like me. Build a Pocatello for my son and daughter, my future grandkids, your future sons and daughters, your future grandkids. Make it a place that they will want to be and things like this get us a lot closer.”